Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 years old has been approved by Health Canada – National

Health Canada has approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11, the department announced Friday.

This announcement means elementary school children will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Previously, only children 12 and older were eligible.

The vaccine will require two doses of 10 mcg for children 5-11 years old – one-third of the dose for adults. The drug program approved by Health Canada is to give those two doses 21 days apart.

Pfizer submitted its test data to Health Canada on October 1 for evaluation and the full submission for approval on October 18.

Pfizer clinical trial data show the vaccine is 91% effective against COVID-19 in this age group.

The provinces have been preparing for the announcement for weeks, with many planning how they will distribute the vaccine. In Ontario, children are likely to get the vaccine at school, although it’s unclear if it happens during school hours.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on October 21 that the Canadian government had reached an agreement with Pfizer to purchase 2.9 million doses of vaccines for children immediately after being approved by Health Canada.

2:07
Uncertainty lingers as Pfizer awaits Health Canada approval of children’s COVID-19 vaccine

However, it remains unclear how many parents will jump at the chance to vaccinate their children. A recent survey found that only half of parents intend to vaccinate their children “immediately” when the vaccine becomes available.

About 77% of Canada’s total population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to data from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Adding children would significantly increase eligibility for the shot and potentially push that number higher.

The United States approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children on November 2, and began immunizing children under 12 years of age shortly thereafter.

Health Canada is also currently reviewing Moderna’s application to approve a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6-11.

—With files from Reuters

View links »